Bank exterior Bank exterior

The ABA consumer outcomes group (COG) is a joint bank and consumer representative forum for discussing and responding to existing and emerging issues to improve consumer outcomes in retail banking. There are seven ABA member banks involved, and seven consumer representatives. The group meets formally on a quarterly basis and there are additional monthly meetings…

Read More Australian Banking Association Consumer Outcomes Group: expression of interest for consumer representative

Car dashboard Car dashboard

Car manufacturers have successfully recalled 99.9 per cent of the more than 3 million vehicles affected by deadly Takata airbags which are subject to a compulsory recall. This is an ACCC media release, originally published on the 5th March, 2021. “We’re pleased to have such a high completion rate in what has been the biggest vehicle recall…

Read More Car manufacturers complete 99.9 per cent of Takata airbag recall

View of car dashboard and out of front window View of car dashboard and out of front window

The Tolling Customer Ombudsman (TCO) is a free and independent alternative dispute resolution scheme designed broadly to assist customers and toll road users of Linkt – New South Wales, Linkt – Queensland and Linkt – Victoria tolling businesses. The overarching aim of the scheme is to resolve complaints fairly, efficiently and free of charge. Information…

Read More The Tolling Customer Ombudsman: Free, impartial dispute resolution

Wind turbine against blue sky Wind turbine against blue sky

This is an advertisement by the Clean Energy Council, originally published on the 23rd of February, 2021. Expressions of interest close on the 18th of March, 2021. To view the full advertisement and Terms of Reference, please download the original PDF. The Clean Energy Council, as administrator of the Solar PV Retailer Code of Conduct,…

Read More Solar PV Retailer Code of Conduct: Expression of interest in appointment to the Code Review Panel

Sky scrapers and a blue sky Sky scrapers and a blue sky

The banking code compliance committee (BCCC) has released a report providing Code-subscribing banks’ senior leaders with guidance on how to build organisational capability to improve compliance with the Banking Code of Practice (the Code). The BCCC released the following media release on February 26 2021. The report provides Code-subscribing banks’ (banks) senior leaders with guidance…

Read More BCCC Report – Building Organisational Capability: How banks can improve compliance with the Banking Code of Practice and deliver better customer outcomes

Person comforting another who is in bed Person comforting another who is in bed

Customers needing life support equipment – such as kidney dialysis machines – will find it easier and cheaper to shop around for better energy deals under a new rule announced by the Australian Energy Market Commission. This is an AEMC media release, originally published on the 25th February, 2021. The change to the National Energy…

Read More New rule helps life support customers switch and save on energy plans

Three people talking at a desk Three people talking at a desk

Women are widely under-represented in developing the standards that affect so many areas of our lives, from the products we consume every day to the technologies needed to address a wide range of sustainability challenges. Many of these standards do not adequately address how women and men may be affected differently, for example ill-fitting personal protective…

Read More Women in standards development – International Women’s Day 2021 March 8 “Choose to challenge”

Post thumbnail

Banks too often blame compliance failures on ‘human error’, according to the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC). Between 2017 and 2019, more than 90% of breaches of the Banking Code of Practice were attributed to staff errors. This is a BCCC Media Release In a report released today, the BCCC has urged banks to take…

Read More Bank systems, technology, staff development and culture key to improve banking customer outcomes

An animated desk An animated desk

The Australian Government Treasury is undertaking an independent review of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA provides consumers and small businesses with independent dispute resolution for financial complaints. The Treasury will undertake the review and is to report to the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy by no later than 30 June 2021.…

Read More Review of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority

Post thumbnail

In his annual address to Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA), ACCC Chair Rod Sims announced the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement priorities for 2021. This annual review of ACCC priorities for the next 12 months has become a vital component of the ACCC’s strategic approach to compliance and enforcement work and its delivery, as well…

Read More ACCC 2021 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities Announced

Post thumbnail

Australia’s Energy Star Rating scheme provides consumers with useful information about the relative energy efficiency of a product. The more stars a product gets, the more energy efficient it is compared to other models of the same size or capacity. The energy star rating of an appliance is determined by its energy consumption, using the relevant Australian Standard for measuring energy consumption…

Read More Public comment invited on updates of the energy efficiency labelling requirements for dishwashers and dryers